Gammon game and method of play

ABSTRACT

An improved gammon game and method of play using unique game pieces is envisioned. The addition of unique playing pieces which are adapted to be used by players to designate movements throughout a game with rules similar to that of historic Takhteh complicates and makes for a more challenging and mentally stimulating gaming experience. Players both young and old will have their mental agility tested by the new rules created specifically for the improved gammon game and method of play.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a first divisional patent application and claims thebenefit of U.S. NonProvisional patent application Ser. No. 13/337,847,filed on Dec. 27,2011.

BACKGROUND

The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appearsrelevant:

U.S. Patents Patent Number Kind Code Issue Date Patentee 4,431,194 AFeb. 14, 1984 Lapadura 5,467,995 A Nov. 21, 1995 Miller 6,062,562 A May16, 2000 Pardee 6,543,768 B1 Apr. 8, 2003 Kuzel

U.S. Patent Application Publications Publication Number Kind Code Publ.Date Applicant 2010/0320690 A1 Dec. 23, 2010 Pollack

Foreign Patent Document

None found

Nonpatent Literature Documents

None found

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may showand/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner.The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Backgammon is a centuries old game of strategy two opponents roll diceon individual turns and move marker around a board while trying to bethe first to bare all of their own markers off the board. There are noless than sixty-five variants of the game of backgammon. The versionmost commonly played in the United States is typically referred to asWestern Backgammon.

Western Backgammon is played on a board consisting of twenty-four narrowtriangles called points. The board is divided into four quadrants eachplayer's “home” and “outer” boards; a player's “home board” is thequadrant to any given player's right while their opponents “outer board”is the quadrant to that players left. The boards are separated by aridge down the center called the bar. The point furthest away from aplayer is their twenty-four-point and it is also their opponent'snumber-one-point.

At the start of the game each player has fifteen markers. All of aplayer's markers are one color which is different from the opponents.The first player's markers are positioned as follows: Two on thetwenty-four-point, five on his thirteen-point, three on the eight-point,and five on the six-point. One player's marker arrangement is a mirrorimage of their opponents.

A doubling cube with the numerals two, four, eight, sixteen, thirty-twoand sixty-four is used to raise the stakes of the game. It is not rolledlike the two cubed dice but is used as a marker denoting the stakes ofthe game.

Each player rolls two cubed dice with numbers or pips indicating thenumber one through six. The player then moves their men around the boardtowards their “home” according to the numbers rolled. The object of thegame is to be the first to get all your markers into your “home board”and then bare them off before your opponent does.

As the markers move around the board, they may encounter and opposingmaker. If that marker is alone on a point it is called a blot. If a blotis landed on by an opposing marker it is said to be “hit” and is sent tothe bar. Any time a player has one or more hit markers on the bar, theirfirst obligation is to enter those markers into the opposing “homeboard”. The marker may be entered by moving it to an open point, whichis not occupied by two or more opposing markers, corresponding to one ofthe numbers on the rolled dice.

Once the game is over meaning one player has borne off all of theirmarkers, the losers gets the value shown on the doubling cube (which isone if there have been no doubles) as long as they have borne off atleast one marker. If the loser has not borne of any markers, they aresaid to have been gammoned and lose twice the number on the doublingcube. Finally, if that player has not borne off any markers and stillhas a marker on the bar, they are said to be “backgammoned.” When thishappens, the loser gets three times the value of the doubling cube.

One very popular version of backgammon is known commonly as Takhteh.This embodiment of the game originated in the Middle East and sharesmany of the same rules and game pieces as Western backgammon. Theinitial setup and the way the markers are moved around the board areidentical. However, there are a few key differences between Takhteh andWestern backgammon. These difference include:

-   -   there is no doubling and hence no doubling cube in Takhteh;    -   the winner of the opening roll rerolls for his first move;    -   “hit-and-runs” are not permitted in a player's home board;    -   a player may not waste pips during bear-off unless they have no        other possible move;    -   the winning player is given one point for a standard win and two        points for a gammon; and    -   there is no backgammon in Takhteh.

An improved gammon game which would increase the number of possiblemoves is a desirable tool for making Takhteh more entertaining andintellectually stimulating.

Even though several types of improved backgammon-like games have beenproposed, all of the games and methods of play heretofore known sufferfrom a number of disadvantages:

-   -   (a) virtually no changes have been proposed to the most comes        versions of gammon since the introduction of the doubling cube;    -   (b) the known gammon games suffer from being overly familiar to        many players;    -   (c) in the known gammon games a player cannot be prevented from        moving their markers by rolling an empty set;    -   (d) the known gammon games don't make it possible for a player        to choose what number, if any, they want to roll; and    -   (e) the known gammon games use six-sided cube dice marked with        numbers one through six making it so that there are only thirty        six possible outcomes on any give roll of the dice

Therefore, there is a need for an improved gammon game and method ofplay which allows for a more interesting and thought-provoking playerexperience. Such a game would utilize a unique type of die with markingswhich have never before been seen in Takhteh or backgammon. The presentinvention effectuates these needs.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, an improved gammon game and method ofplay which utilizes eight-side dice is envisioned. In one embodiment,said eight-sided dice may be in the shape of an octahedron. Oneembodiment of the eight-side die, each of the first seven dice faceswill contain one of the numbers zero through six. The remaining side ofthe dice will be the joker side.

Adding a zero to the dice generates a possibility that any given playermay be prevented form moving on a given roll. This will be the case whenthat player rolls the empty set zero. Adding a joker to the dicesgenerates the possibility that given player may be allowed to chooseexactly where they want to move a marker. An improved gammon game andcorresponding method of play will reduce the impact of luck on the gameof Takhteh and increase the need for strategy and well thought out play.

It is envisioned that in one embodiment the eight-sided dice, Arabicnumerals will be used for the numbers zero through six. However, it isfurther envisioned that the numbers on the dice may be indicated in avariety of different ways. By way of example, dots, pips, or Romannumerals are all similarly effective ways of differentiating numberszero through six. In the embodiments using dots, pips, or roman numeralsthe number zero may be differentiated by leaving that side of the diceface blank.

In one embodiment of the eight-sided dice, the joker-side of the dicemay be marked with the image of a joker. In a further embodiment of theeight-sided dice, the joker-side of each die may be marked with the word“joker.”

In one embodiment of the improved gammon game, the aforementioned dicewill comprise one of the components of the gaming apparatus. Theremaining components include a backgammon board consisting oftwenty-four narrow triangles called points.

The board is divided into four quadrants with each player having an“inner table” and an “outer table.”

The first players “inner table” or “home” is demarcated by the first sixpoints. Points are numbered in order from one to twenty four beginningwith the point furthest to the first player's right and then countingcounter-clockwise around the board. The first player's “outer board” isdemarcated by the points thirteen through eighteen. The opponent orsecond player's home board is demarcated by the points nineteen throughtwenty-four while their “outer board” consist of the quadrant containingpoints seven through twelve.

The addition of unique playing pieces which are adapted to be used byplayers to designate movements throughout a game with rules similar tothat of historic Takhteh complicates and makes for a more challengingand mentally stimulating gaming experience. Players both young and oldwill have their mental agility tested by the new rules createdspecifically for the improved gammon game and method of play.

The inventors further envision that, in one embodiment of an improvedgammon game and method of play, no physical board, dice, or marker shallbe required. In this embodiment, the game may be played in an electronicformat through the use of a computer and computer software. In thisembodiment, the software will mimic the use of physical components ofthe apparatus by presenting players with a virtual backgammon board,eight-sided dice, and markers on their computer screens. Nevertheless,in this embodiment, the same rules of the improved backgammon game willapply.

The inventors envision that, in another embodiment of the electronicversion of the improved backgammon game, players need not be in the sameroom to compete against one another. Through the use of aninternet-enabled computer, players may be networked together andchallenge one another even though they are located great distances apartfrom one another.

Advantages

Thus several advantages of one or more aspects are to provide:

-   -   (a) a gammon game with a unique set of rules and playing pieces;    -   (b) a gammon game which substantially increases the number of        landing possibilities;    -   (c) a gammon game which substantially increases the number of        playing possibilities beyond landing possibilities by        introducing a joker which, when landed on, can be played as any        number zero through six;    -   (d) a gammon game where the strategy is extremely difficult to        master for new and experienced players;    -   (e) a gammon game which utilizes dice with unusual indicia and        more numbers to further stimulate the mental processes of the        gammon players;    -   (f) a gammon game that provides its players a new gaming        experience which can be enjoyed by both children and adults;    -   (g) a game which combines social interaction for players while        challenging their mental processes; and    -   (h) a gammon game that address the needs of players tried with        the familiarity of traditional backgammon.

These and other advantages of one or more aspects will become apparentfrom consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings.Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of several embodiments. For example, thedice may be constructed from plastic in one embodiment and withporcelain or other suitable material for playing dice in another. Thusthe scope of the embodiments should be determined by the claims that areappended and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

The description of the invention which follows, together with theaccompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the inventionto the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art towhich this invention pertains will be able to devise other forms thereofwithin the ambit of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures

FIG. 1 shows the markings on all eight sides of the unique joker die;

FIG. 2 (a through h) are isometric views of the unique octahedron dice;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the initial backgammon and Takhteh setup;

FIG. 4 (a through c) shows some of the different ways a player may moveshould they role a zero on one die and a joker on the other; and

FIG. 5 illustrates that when a player roles two zeros, they may not moveat all.

Reference Numerals 10 joker dice 12 backgammon board 14 marker 16 bar

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Thefollowing explanation provides specific details for a thoroughunderstanding of an enabling description for these embodiments. Oneskilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practicedwithout such details. In other instances, well-known structures andfunctions have not been shown or described in detail to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

One embodiment of an improved gammon game is shown as set-up in FIG. 3.FIG. 3 illustrates the initial positions of all the markers 14 on thebackgammon board 12 at the start of a game of backgammon or Takhteh. The“home” board and the “outer” boards are separated from one another bythe bar 16. The first players “inner table” or “home” is demarcated bythe first six points. Points are numbered in order from one to twentyfour beginning with the point furthest to the first player's right andthen counting counter-clockwise around the board. The first player's“outer board” is demarcated by the points thirteen through eighteen. Theopponent or second player's home board is demarcated by the pointsnineteen through twenty-four while their “outer board” consist of thequadrant containing points seven through twelve.

FIG. 3 also illustrates the direction in which both the light and darkcolored markers move throughout the game; counterclockwise around thebackgammon board 12 for the bright markers and clockwise for the darkmarkers.

The introduction of the new eight-sided joker 10 dice creates aplurality of potential dice landing position. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 areexemplary of the octahedron embodiment of the eight-sided joker dice 10.The unfolded joker die 10 in FIG. 1 and the isometric views of a jokerdie 10 in FIG. 2 illustrate where the joker indicia and zero may belocated with respect to traditional six-sided dice markings (one throughsix). The sixty-four potential landing positions are illustrated asfollows:

The introduction of the eight-sided dice 10 with a joker on at least oneside greatly impacts the probabilities of a player rolling differentdice positions. Not only is there a significant difference in the numberof landing possibilities, because the dice have more sides, there isalso an increased difference in the number of playing possibilitiesbecause one of the sides (i.e. the joker) may be played as any one ofthe other seven sides (i.e. zero through six).

By way of example, if there were no jokers and you were to roll twodice, there would exist two possible ways of rolling a two and a one.You could roll a two on the first die and a one on the second; or youcould roll a one on the first and a two on the second. However, byintroducing the joker onto one side of each die, the number of ways atwo and a one can be rolled goes up to seven. The following is a list ofways a given player can roll a two and a one:

-   -   two on the first die and one on the second;    -   one on the first die and two on the second;    -   two on the first die and a joker on the second that is played as        a one;    -   one on the first die and a joker on the second that is played as        a two;    -   joker on the first die that is played as a two and one on the        second die;    -   joker on the first die that is played as a one and two on the        second die; and    -   jokers on both dice, one of which is played as a two and the        other played as a one.

Similarly, the introduction of a joker onto one face of a die,significantly effects the probability of rolling double. By way ofexample, there is only one possible way of rolling a pair of sixes usinga traditional pair of dice. However, if one of the faces is replacedwith a joker, there are four possible ways of rolling double sixes:

-   -   six on the first die and six on the second;    -   joker on the first die which is played as a six and six on the        second;    -   six on the first die and joker on the second which is played as        a six; and    -   and jokers on both dice, both of which are played as a six

By introducing such a wide array of possibilities, both the strategy andconcentration required to be successful at the improved gammon game havebeen substantially impacted over traditional gammon games that lack ajoker dice. The dramatic difference in probabilities between playingwith traditional six-sided dice (numbered one through six) and aneight-sided joker dice 10 with a zero and a single joker is illustratedin the following chart:

Number Dice Landing with Landing with Playing with of plays Position 6sided dice 8 sided dice 8 sided dice 1 0 0 — 1/64 = 1.5% 4/64 = 6.2%  2,3 01 10 — 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 4, 5 02 20 — 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9%6, 7 03 30 — 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 8, 9 04 40 — 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 =10.9% 10, 11 05 50 — 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 12, 13 06 60 — 2/64 = 3.1%7/64 = 10.9% 14, 15 0J J0 — 2/64 = 3.1% 3/64 = 4.6%  16 1 1 1/36 = 2.7%1/64 = 1.5% 4/64 = 6.2%  17, 18 12 21 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 =10.9% 19, 20 13 31 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 21, 22 14 412/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 23, 24 15 51 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 =3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 25, 26 16 61 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 27,28 1J J1 — 2/64 = 3.1% 3/64 = 4.6%  29 2 2 1/36 = 2.7% 1/64 = 1.5% 4/64= 6.2%  30, 31 23 32 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 32, 33 24 422/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 34, 35 25 52 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 =3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 36, 37 26 62 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 38,39 2J J2 — 2/64 = 3.1% 3/64 = 4.6%  40 3 3 1/36 = 2.7% 1/64 = 1.5% 4/64= 6.2%  41, 42 34 43 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 43, 44 35 532/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 45, 46 36 63 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 =3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 47, 48 3J J3 — 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 49 4 4 1/36 =2.7% 1/64 = 1.5% 4/64 = 6.2%  50, 51 45 54 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64= 10.9% 52, 53 46 64 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 54, 55 4J J4 —2/64 = 3.1% 3/64 = 4.6%  56 5 5 1/36 = 2.7% 1/64 = 1.5% 4/64 = 6.2%  57,58 56 65 2/36 = 5.5% 2/64 = 3.1% 7/64 = 10.9% 59, 60 5J J5 — 2/64 = 3.1%3/64 = 4.6%  61 6 6 1/36 = 2.7% 1/64 = 1.5% 4/64 = 6.2%  62, 63 6J J6 —2/64 = 3.1% 3/64 = 4.6%  64  J J  — 1/64 = 1.5% 1/64 = 1.5%  36/36 =1      64/64 = 197/64 = 1 3.07 100% 100% 307%

The inventors envision a variety of ways in which the joker can beintroduced into dice games and do not limit the scope to the eight-sidedjoker dice embodiment discussed herein by way of example. For instance,the inventors further envision the introduction of the joker onto atraditional six-sided die with indicia for the numbers one through six.In this embodiment of the joker dice, one of the six numbers on thetraditional dice may be replaced with a joker.

Moreover, the inventors also envision that, in other embodiments, thejoker-dice may be introduced into other games which use dice withsimilar consequences on landing and playing probabilities as illustratedin the chart above. For example, a joker may be introduced onto one ofthe sides of the dice in a well-known dice game such as craps. Just aswith backgammon or Takhteh, this will have a significant effect on thelanding and playing probabilities which can change the way individualsplay this as well as a wide variety of other well known games requiringdice. In other words, the inventors envision uses of joker dice which gobeyond gammon games and which are not limited to just eight-sided dice.

FIG. 3 is exemplary of the initial backgammon and Takhteh setup. Thepoints in FIG. 3 are labeled according to the bright players point ofview for the purpose of illustration. Therefore, the player with thedark markers would have opposite numbers. The first set of markers areplaced as follows: Two on the twenty-four-point, five on the brightermarker player's thirteen-point, three on the eight-point, and five onthe six-point. One player's marker arrangement is a mirror image oftheir opponents.

Game play proceeds in manner similar to Takhteh with severalmodifications to help deal with the introduction of the eight-sidedjoker dice 10. Just like in western backgammon and Takhteh, the objectof the game is to move your markers according to the numbers shown onthe dice after they have been thrown. The players always move theirmarkers forward to a lower numbered point. Each player's first objectiveis to get all of their markers into their “home” board. Once they havedone this, they can begin bearing off individual markers. The firstplayer to bear off all of their markers is victorious.

While a player is trying to get their markers into the their home boardthey risk having their marker sent to the bar 16 by their opponent. Apoint on which any given player only has one marker is referred to as ablot. If your opponent lands on one of your blots, your blot marker issaid to be hit. A hit marker is placed on the bar 16 and your opponentreplaces your marker with their own.

Any time a player has one or more hit markers on the bar 16, their firstobligation is to enter those markers into the opposing “home board”. Themarker may be entered by moving it to an open point, which is notoccupied by two or more opposing markers, corresponding to one of thenumbers on the rolled dice.

A player who rolls doubles, plays the numbers shown on the dice twice.By way of illustration, if a player rolls a two and a two, that playeris allowed to use four two's and they are allowed to move any legalcombination of markers to complete this requirement.

As long as it is legally possible, a player must use all of the numbersof a roll to move their markers around the board. When only one numbercan be played, the player must play that number. If either number rolledcan be played but not both, then the player must choose the larger ofthe two numbers. Finally, when doubles have been rolled and cannot allbe legally played, then the player must play as many numbers as theycan.

FIG. 4 illustrates some of the differences between Takhteh and theimproved gammon game. All of the markers except for one have beenremoved for the sake of clarity. In FIG. 4, the player with the brightcolored markers has rolled a joker on one die and a zero on the other; aroll that would be impossible in western backgammon or Takhteh. The zerodoes not provide the player with any options and without another number,that player would not be allowed to move. However, because the playerhas rolled a joker along with the zero, they are allowed to select anyof the other numbers on the dice 10 to play as the joker.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a player who has rolled a joker and a zero mymove their marker six spaces from the twenty-four point to the eighteenpoint. In FIG. 4B they have chosen to move their marker two spaces, andin FIG. 4C that player has elected to play the joker as a one. That sameplayer may even choose to play the joker as another zero and not move atall.

If a player rolls two zero's then they are not allowed to move at all.They effectively lose a turn. This is illustrated in FIG. 5 with all buttwo markers removed for the purpose of illustration. In westernbackgammon or Takhteh, the possibility of losing a turn based on thenumbers you roll does not exist except in rare circumstances. The onlytime a player may not move at all, in the aforementioned gammon games,is when the player rolls the dice and there are no legal moves possible.

Finally, in the event that the improved gammon player rolls two jokers,they are allowed to play any of the numbers on the joker dice 10 thatthey choose. Moreover, if they choose two of the same number, thedoubling rules still apply. In other words, and by way of example, ifthe player chooses two fives, they would be allowed to move four fivesjust as they would had they actually rolled a pair of fives.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, the markers are illustrated as being bright and dark in thedrawings even though the inventors contemplate the possibility that thesets of markers may both be dark but with different colors. Accordingly,is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appendedclaims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the system described herein. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments. All of the above patents and applications and otherreferences, including any that may be listed in accompanying filingpapers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the inventioncan be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, andconcepts of the various references described above to provide yetfurther embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the improved gammon game and method of play withwhich that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in thefollowing claims should not be constructed to limit the improved gammongame and method of play to the specific embodiments disclosed in thespecification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitlydefine such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not onlythe disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing orimplementing the disclosed game and method of play. The above detaileddescription of embodiments of the improved gammon game and method ofplay is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise formdisclosed above or to a particular field of usage. While specificembodiments of, and examples for, the game and method of play aredescribed above for illustrative purposes, various equivalentmodifications are possible which those skilled in the relevant art willrecognize.

While certain aspects of the improved gammon game and method of play arepresented below in particular claim forms, the inventors contemplate thevarious aspects of the improved gammon game and method of play in anynumber of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right toadd additional claims after filing the application to pursue suchadditional claim forms for other aspects of the improved gammon game andmethod of play.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved Takhteh game comprising a backgammonboard; and a first die having eight dice faces each said face havingindicia representing one of the seven digits zero through six or a jokerthereon; a second die having eight dice faces; and said first dice beingidentical to said second die.
 2. The game of claim 1 wherein both firstand second said eight-sided dice are in the shape of an octahedron.
 3. Amethod of playing a game on a substrate having a matrix, twenty fourlanding points, a bar zone, a first set of markers, and a second set ofmarkers, and a set of two eight-sided dice with indicia representing thenumbers zero through six and a joker thereon each die, comprising thesteps of: (a) placing said first set of markers on predetermined points;(b) placing said second set of markers on predetermined points; (c)initiating the game by choosing a first player; (d) rolling saidoctahedron dice; (e) moving a respective first or second marker along apath a number of zones corresponding to at least the numbers on one ofsaid dice if there is a number on the dice or, alternatively, not movingor exercising a joker option to replace the joker with any of the othernumbers on the eight-sided die if a player roles a joker.
 4. The methodof claim 3 further including the step allowing each player one or moreturns.
 5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step ofcontinuing the game between any successful player and a thirdchallenger.
 6. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step ofcontinuing the game including any players who have not challenged theparticular play but who have not been defeated by that particularplayer.
 7. The method of claim 3 wherein said eight side dice are in theshape of an octahedron.